Bridal Make-up - Putting Your Best Face Forward

Let's "face it" (pun completely intended), there are reasons why celebrities employ full-time make-up artists to be at their beck-and-call at any given moment, day or night - one reason being, done right, they can make an already beautiful women into an absolute "show stopper". The same rules apply for brides, they may not need it, but it's definitely a must when it comes to their wedding day.  It's important that brides take the time to establish their make-up look and find a professional to apply it.

On average a photographer shoots over 1,000 images at a wedding, and of those 1,000 shots, the bride is in 80% of them! With that many photos being taken, brides need to be seriously confident in how they look - a confident bride is a sexy bride, and believe me, it shines through in the photos. Looking washed out, or better yet, having an uneven complexion in 800 photos can get real expensive in photography touch ups. Most top wedding photographers are also using high tech - high definition equipment these days that can produce some absolutely sensational images, however, these types of cameras can also pick up blemishes and other skin imperfections. Having natural coverage in the form of light foundation applied by a professional can eliminate these problems.

With that being said, it's important that brides don't go overboard by wearing too much make-up where they end up looking like someone else. Make-up is supposed to enhance the already beautiful qualities of a woman's face so that she radiates but still looks like herself. Your fiance is marrying you because he loves YOU and the way YOU look, so don't go transforming yourself into someone he doesn't recognize, especially on one of the most special days for both of you.

Here are some tips on how to help you find the right make-up artist for your style:

Hiring a Professional Make-up Artist - Professional make-up artists know how to make you look your best at any time of the day or night, they know how to apply coverage for specific kinds of cameras, and how to enhance your natural beauty. They are masters in color and know what looks best on different types of skin tones, and most importantly, they know how to apply make-up that will last the entire duration of the event. They also will show you how to apply your own touch-ups in case of an emergency (such as, an impromptu cry during "first look" before your formal photos) and provide you with a make-up kit of everything they've used on you that day.

Finding "The Right" Make-up Artist - As with all your vendors for your wedding, finding the right make-up artist can be tough and take some time. Ask recently married friends, your wedding planner, your wedding photographer and videographer who they recommend based on your style. Do your due diligence and YELP them and make sure to look at their "look book" or portfolio. Additionally, it's important to make sure they are a "Wedding Make-up Artist" primarily, not a "High Fashion Make-up Artist" who does weddings on the side - believe me, there is a big difference. Also, it's important that you narrow down your selection to no more than two make-up artists to schedule trials with - each trial can run you anywhere from $75 - $250 depending on the experience and demand of the particular artist, which obviously can add up. A lot of artists will apply their trial costs to their wedding day fee, so make sure to ask them before booking.

Schedule a Make-up Trial - It's incredibly important to make sure you have a make-up trial (test run) with your make-up artist. The trial will help you both create a look that is comfortable and beautiful. Make sure to bring a photo of your gown so they can create a look that is complimentary of the tones and style that you will be wearing on your big day. It's also a good idea to wear your typical daily application of make-up (if you do wear any) to your trial so your artist has a point of reference on where to start and what you are comfortable with. During your meeting, make sure you not only like their work, but like them as a person and can see them being part of your team during the day of your wedding - remember, it can be nerve wracking getting ready prior to the start of your ceremony and having a make-up artist who understands and is calming and encouraging makes all the difference.

Happy Planning!